I think pitch, while an objective measurement, is subjective with each shooter, and depends on individual gun mount, shoulder geometry, neck geometry, and other stock dimensions, primarily drop at heel. That said, I do best with guns that have between 2 and 3 inches of down pitch at the 28 inch point on the barrels. If less that 2 inches, I find the gun butt slips down during firing, making the shot go high. Interestingly, most Parker guns with dog's head buttplates (G grade and below typically) have the requisite pitch. Most with skeleton steel buttplates (D grade and above) seem to have less down pitch, usually between 1 and 2 inches. I can't shoot them well at all. I have traded or sold those that I had, even though I love the look of the ssbp. I have shimmed an LC Smith and an Ithaca Lewis model that had low pitch with one of those tapered spacers sold by Midway and Brownells. Seemed to work, and doesnt offend the eye too badly. The standing against the wall method has always worked for my purposes, although now I can recognize the ballpark correct pitch just by looking at the gun lying on a table. Whatever works.
